at dinner with an uppermiddle class friends white parents when they are visiting her when studying abroad in buenos aires we both study at the same elite liberal arts college and became friends whens studying abroad at dinner they ask the question i always dread in these contexts my friends father so what do your parents do me my dad works as a waiter at a hotel friends father what he works as a waiter and manages to support the family that way how is that possible looks at his wife maybe we should get some tips laughter yes my father manages to support the family that way but my parents obviously cant afford to take a vacation to come visit me in buenos aires its difficult enough for them to pay my tuition let alone come visit me and eat at ridiculously expensive restaurants in one of the most expensive parts of the city a significant part of the us is working class and doesnt enjoy the same privileges as you and your supposedly liberal family that cant even recognize how alienating and offensive of a comment that is dont marvel at my socioeconomic class and make me feel like that token poor minority friend who helps your privileged daughter become more conscious